Steve Albert, the Suns broadcaster for Jeff Hornacek’s 2½-season reign in Phoenix, believes the Knicks are getting the master who weaved a Cinderella season as a rookie coach more than the one who limped to a 14-35 record in Year 3 before his axing in February.

Hornacek, whose official Knicks hiring could be announced Monday, crafted a 23-win turnaround on the way to a 48-34 record and second-place finish in 2014 coach of the year voting.

“Knicks fans will be pleased by Jeff’s smarts and calm demeanor,’’ said Albert, a former Nets, Mets and Islanders play-by-play man and brother of Marv. “The players will like him because of his fast-paced, up-tempo style. Due to extenuating circumstances, the Suns struggled the last two years. But I think the real Hornacek is the guy who led the Suns to 48 wins and were the feel-good story that season. You just suddenly don’t lose your coaching skills. The guy was destined to be a good coach.’’

Albert, who has worked for FoxSports Arizona since 2012, is a trivia machine when it comes to Hornacek after calling all 213 of his games (101-112 record).

He pointed out that Hornacek got selected 46th in the draft by Phoenix and became their head coach in the club’s 46th season.

That he has played for Jerry Sloan, Cotton Fitzsimmons — who once ran the triangle in the 1970s — and John MacLeod during a 14-year career only bodes well for him, Albert said.

“He was a fan favorite wherever he’s been,’’ Albert said. “Was a tough player, great shooter, excellent basketball mind. Don’t let Jeff’s laid-back personality fool you. He can be fiery. If you think he’ll be swallowed up by the demanding New York media, he’s quick-witted, has a sarcastic edge and gives thoughtful answers.’’

Knicks president Phil Jackson tried to trade for Hornacek in the mid-1990s, when Jackson coached the Bulls. Warriors coach Steve Kerr told The Post’s Fred Kerber that Hornacek “would have been a great player with the Bulls’’ in the triangle era because of his cerebral nature.

“You’re talking about a skinny playmaker who molded himself as one of the best shooters in the league,’’ Albert said. “He started out as a two-handed shooter, but he completely changed his shooting style. He taped his left thumb to his hand, using it strictly as a guide.”

Hornacek twice won the 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend, finished with a 49.6 shooting percentage for his career — 40.3 from 3-point land — and 87.7 percent from the free-throw line. During his Phoenix coaching stint, he launched 3-point bombs at the end of practice with his players.

Albert talked about Hornacek’s first season in Phoenix as “a Cinderella season” and it was a Cinderella story in capturing the Knicks coaching sweepstakes. The shoe fits.